Mechanical engineering group EnerMech has announced plans to invest more than £40 million to launch a major expansion in the USA.

The Aberdeen-based firm said it hopes to replicate growth levels it has seen in Europe and the eastern hemisphere.

Up to £9.5 million will be invested in new process, pipeline and umbilical (PPU) equipment with another £31.5 million set aside for strategic acquisitions to build on its existing US business.

EnerMech has brought in two senior oil and gas executives to lead its US expansion, Vince Kouns and Alan Sweeney, who were respectively founder/president and vice president of Valkyrie Commissioning Services until it was acquired by Weatherford in 2005.

They will be responsible for establishing the overall EnerMech brand and service lines in the Americas region, reporting directly to EnerMech main board director Les Graves.

EnerMech managing director Doug Duguid forecasts the PPU business will be generating revenues in excess of £30 million within three years through a combination of acquisitons and organic growth.

He said: “Post Macondo (the BP/Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico) we see a strengthening market with clients who want a reliable cost-effective service and this offers us huge opportunities.

“Starting this growth in Houston will also access West African opportunities, and subsequently Mexico, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil.”

The company says it is now on “a major recruitment drive” which will add staff at its existing Houston base.

Duguid said plans are also in place to open a Gulf Coast operating base.

He said: “After our expansion into the Middle East, Far East and Australia, our attention has turned to the USA and we believe we can replicate our international success in the Americas by backing strong, local management.

“We have waited until we could secure the best possible management team and we have found that in Vince and Alan, who both have regional and international experience in growing service organisations.

“Their track record of growth at Valkyrie, as well as extensive experience in the Americas, will be a game changer for EnerMech in the western hemisphere.”

EnerMech was founded in Aberdeen in 2008 and now employs more than 1,000 people globally.

It is forecasting sales of £140 million for the 2012 year, and profits are expected to double to around £20 million.

Last month the company announced further expansion in the eastern hemisphere which will see the opening of seven new offices in India, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, South Korea and Australia, and in 2013 it plans to extend its presence in Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and New Zealand.

EnerMech specialises in the supply, maintenance and engineering of cranes, lifting, valves and hydraulic equipment, equipment rental and the provision of training and specialist personnel to the energy industry.